A second recent reboot of the Spiderman franchise, The Amazing Spiderman aligns itself more readily with the comic books that gave birth to the series. While Spider-Man was pretty successful in its own right, the key improvement here is in the casting. From Andrew Garfield, who is almost the perfect choice for the geeky hero himself to the loveable Emma Stone this trend continues all the way to the smaller parts with Martin Sheen as chivalrous Uncle Ben and Sally Field as nurturing Aunt May. While I would've preferred a less obvious orchestral superhero soundtrack and I thought the robber/Uncle Ben scene had a bit less punch this time around, I can't help but look forward to the sequels and more neat scenes like the one with a scared kid and the re-assuring Spidey mask. Watch it a lot over the years.
9/10
The Avengers takes a leaf out of the successful Iron Man series' book and blends realistic action with savvy dialogue. With a huge cast of superheroes, the film manages to give each character their due screen time and character development while binding it all together with a common enemy. Loki, a god from another world, is bent on invading earth and is a surprisingly good fit alongside the Marvel heroes. The most important
feature of the Avengers is also preserved well: they all have fantastic
strengths but its how the heroes overcome their weaknesses with team
work that epitomizes the overall charm of this story. Disappointingly, the music is orchestral and keeps the movie chugging along but is mostly forgettable fare. That said, the acting is quite impressive and helps to create atmosphere without becoming fake or two dimensional. Worth repeat viewing.
8.5/10
Superbly unique and hard to take your eyes off, Moonrise Kingdom is a coming-of-age story told through fantasy-tinted lens. It has a Tim Burton feel about it but is lighter and often feels as awkward as our young couple's blossoming romance. The juxtaposition of serious issues such as rejection and bullying against the backdrop of quirky and downright loony adults makes for an enjoyable ride. The music is playful and adventurous and contributes admirably to the film. The only fault of the movie is also its main draw card: this film is a bit precocious and deserves special treatment as you watch it once, twice or even more.
9/10
